CHAPTER XXX.

DOTH NOT A MEETING LIKE THIS MAKE AMENDS?'-

'L'ENVOI.'

'Journeys end in lovers meeting,

Every wise man's son doth know.'

Twelfth Night.

HERE is the tender coming out, Captain
Warrington,' said the third officer of the
Anglian, as we steamed into Plymouth
Sound. 'Do you land here, or go on to

Southampton?'

'I am not sure yet, Mr. Barrett,' I replied, levelling my glasses at the little paddle steamer.

We had had a quick run from Funchal, and, after all our escapes and troubles, were back again in Old England.

'There's no country like it, is there, Mr.-I beg pardon -Captain Warrington?' said a voice at my elbow, which I knew belonged to nobody but Mr. Binks. Riches is all very well, sir; but for my part, give me a quiet cottage

in my native land, and any one else may have their bungalows, or palaces, or "shatters," for aught I care.'

'Right you are, friend Binks,' rejoined Mackinlay, who was leaning over the bulwarks by my side. There's no

place like home.'

'Be it never so 'omely, eh, Captain? that's just what I tell Mrs. Binks! Since we have gone up in the world, she is always going on at me to "cut a dash," and go into society. "My love," says I, whenever she begins,"my love, I've had to work hard for my money, and I'm thankful to say I've never earned a penny but in a straightforward manner; my father was a journeyman tailor, and I had very little education ;-now, my dear, that's the plain state of the case, as you very well know ! You says, 'Go into society'—I says, 'Not if I know it.' Society wouldn't take any notice of us for what we are ourselves, that's positive; but no doubt if we set up a fine house and a carriage, gave lots of dinners and parties, society would shut its eyes and come and visit us, and be very glad to put its legs under our mahogany; but that won't do for me, Sarah! I'm not going to waste my hardearned gains in feeding people who have plenty to eat at home! You shall have every comfort, and the youngsters the best education money can buy, but no nonsense; we'll do all the good we can to those who can't help themselves, if you like, Sarah, but none of your society for me."

'You put it pretty plainly, Binks,' said I, with a smile.

'I did, Captain Warrington, and I always mean to do SO. My boy and girl will have the best of teaching, and if they can win a name and social position for themselves, no one will be better pleased than Joseph Binks. But I'm not going to toady and feed myself into a station of life that my habits and education don't fit me for.'

'You're a very sensible fellow, my friend,' said Jack, giving the little man a slap on the shoulder, and I'm heartily glad you have done so well for yourself.'

'Thank ye, sir; I'm sure I'm proud of your good opinion. I like a gentleman, and you're one,-real hallmarked silver, none of your Brummagem electro stuff.'

'But, friend Binks,' replied Jack, 'I must say you are rather down on self-made men! I am sure we respect '—

'I beg your pardon, Captain Mackinlay,' interrupted Binks, but you quite mistake me! I only object to those persons who, having made their money,—either fairly or unfairly,-stick themselves up as "somebodies," and, having reached the pinnacle of fortune, try to kick · aside the ladder by which they mounted, and stick out that they have always been "nobs.""

'Well, Binks, if Warrington and I ever look you up, I hope you will welcome us!'

'Welcome you, sir!' cried Binks; 'that I will, Captain! You've been a true friend to me since we left the Cape; and I shan't forget that night in the boat, when you wrapped me up in your own coat, and '—

'There, that'll do, Binks. I am a little tougher than you, and any man would have done the same.'

Binks shook his head, and retreated down to the saloon.

In a few minutes the tender was alongside, and we had met those who had almost given us up as dead,—for Mary and Nellie had come to Plymouth with the Brocks to meet

us.

A family meeting after a painful separation can be interesting only to those concerned, and I will not afflict my readers with an account of our reunion with wife and parent.

My story is finished, for my course from 'Cadet to Captain' has been run. It only remains for me to say a few words about those who have from time to time appeared in these pages.

At the 'Cottage—which has been considerably enlarged -Mary and I live in peaceful contentment, our little ones around us.

Jack and his wife have taken the Hill house,' a mile away from us, and there reside with the Admiral. Joe is their major-domo.'

We both retired from the service on our return from the Zulu war, but hold commissions in the Daleshire Yeomanry Cavalry.

If the reader should ever visit Croppleton, he will see, just at the entrance of the village, a row of pretty cottages,

-twelve in number.

These cottages were erected by Admiral Brown and his

grand-daughter to the memory of Pat Hughes, and Jack and I endowed them with the money left us by our lamented brother-officer.

In those cottages six old soldiers and six old sailors live rent free, each receiving an allowance of ten shillings a-week.

Joe Grummet is 'honorary secretary' of the charity.

We often see some of our old comrades of the 120th (now in India), and up to the present time have never missed the annual regimental dinner.

And what about the elders of the family?

Blessed with the constant society of their children and grandchildren, my mother, the Colemores, and Admiral Brown enjoy the greatest happiness that age and worth can know, a happiness shared by Fred Brock and Ellen, who look upon us as their own.'

Of the rest: Peter Van Breda paid us a visit last Christmas, and gained the goodwill of all the Daleshire Hunt by his straight riding during one of the hardest runs of the

season.

George Denison-my first friend at Sandhurst is a major in the -th Hussars, and often comes to see us.

Sir Edward O'Leary - Sir Timothy is dead - lives abroad, for the best of all reasons, that he cannot show his nose in Ireland; we have never met since I left the 'R. M. C.'

Jack and I paid a visit to Binks, and our opinion of the little man was more than confirmed.

Charitable in a quiet, unostentatious way, Binks spends